Information processing system and slip creation method

ABSTRACT

An information processing system including a circuitry configured to detect first identification information used to identify a job, generate second identification information associated with the first identification information, and create a slip on which the first identification information and the second identification information are displayed.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. § 119 toJapanese Patent Application Nos. 2018-142989, 2018-142990, and2018-142991, each filed on Jul. 30, 2018 and Japanese Patent ApplicationNo. 2019-49124, filed on Mar. 15, 2019, the contents of which areincorporated herein by reference in their entirety.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to an information processing system, acooperative management method, a program, and a medium.

Description of the Related Art

It has been conventionally performed to manage the progress of a jobcomposed of a plurality of work processes by utilizing a bar code or thelike printed on a work instruction.

In addition, a system for controlling the operator's working time andthe flow of the object (entry and exit of the worksite) by applying RFIDtags to the object to be worked with the worker (materials, work inprocess, products, etc.) and reading the RFID tags at the entrance gateof the processing site and at the exit gate of the processing site hasbeen known (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

In the case of forming an image of a code symbol on a paper, it isconventionally known that if the reduction layout is performed by usingthe reduction layout function, there is a possibility that informationcannot be read from the code symbol due to the reduction of the image.

For this reason, when a plurality of pages of an original including codesymbols are to be laid out in a reduced layout, the following method hasbeen proposed. At first, a code region in which code symbols arearranged in a predetermined size equal to or larger than a readableminimum size in the code system of the code symbols is secured, and thencode symbols are arranged in the code region in the predetermined size(see, for example, Patent Document 2).

It has been conventionally performed to manage the progress of a jobcomposed of a plurality of work processes by utilizing a bar code or thelike printed on a work instruction.

In addition, a system for controlling the operator's working time andthe flow of the object (entry and exit of the worksite) by applying RFIDtags to the object to be worked with the worker (materials, work inprocess, products, etc.) and reading the RFID tags at the entrance gateof the processing site and at the exit gate of the processing site hasbeen known (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

BACKGROUND ART

[Patent Document 1] Japanese Laid-Open Patent Application No.2005-100298

[Patent Document 2] Japanese Laid-Open Patent Application No. 2014-42148

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In an existing system that manages the progress of a job composed of aplurality of work processes by using a bar code or the like printed on awork instruction, a user may want to add a new function while leavingthe function (function of the work instruction) realized by using thework instruction. However, it has not been easy to add a new function tothe work instruction while minimizing a change to the existing system.

An object of the present invention is to provide an informationprocessing system capable of easily adding a function realized by aslip.

Further, the existing system uses a code image such as a bar codeprinted on the slip such as a work instruction. A user using such anexisting system may wish to add a new code image. However, if the slipimage is simply reduced, there is a possibility that the code imageprinted on the slip cannot be read (cannot be recognized).

Another object of the present invention is to provide the informationprocessing system capable of reducing a code image while a first slipimage displayed on the code image is in a readable state and creating asecond slip image on which a new code image is displayed.

In the conventional existing system in which the progress of the jobcomposed of a plurality of work processes is managed by using the barcode or the like printed on the work instruction, there has been aproblem that it is difficult for the user to confirm the progress ofeach job.

Another object of the present invention is to provide the informationprocessing system in which the user can easily confirm information onprogress of the plurality of jobs composed of the plurality of workprocesses.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In order to achieve the above object, this disclosure provides aninformation processing system including a circuitry configured to detectfirst identification information used to identify a job, generate secondidentification information associated with the first identificationinformation, and create a slip on which the first identificationinformation and the second identification information are displayed.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an example of a job management systemaccording to the present embodiment.

FIGS. 2A and 2B are image diagram of an example of a work instructionused in the job management system according to the present embodiment.

FIG. 3 illustrates a hardware configuration diagram of an example of acomputer.

FIG. 4 is a functional block diagram of an example of a work processmanagement system.

FIG. 5 is an image diagram showing an example of a job working processin a printing factory.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart of an example of a process for creating a workinstruction with color code.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart of an example of a process for generating a colorcode image.

FIGS. 8A-8E are diagrams for explaining a coding rule capable ofexpressing a ternary number.

FIG. 9 illustrates an example of information for encoding into anoptical symbol.

FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of an optical symbol when thenumber of colors assigned to each cell of the optical symbol is four.

FIG. 11 is a diagram showing an image of a process for creating a workinstruction with color code.

FIG. 12 is a flowchart of an example of processing for reducing an imageincluding a bar code image.

FIG. 13 illustrates an example of a bar code image.

FIG. 14 illustrates an example of a bar code image before reduction inthe vertical direction.

FIG. 15 illustrates an example of a bar code image after reduction inthe vertical direction.

FIG. 16 illustrates an example of a bar code image before reduction inthe lateral direction.

FIG. 17 illustrates an example of a bar code image after being reducedin the lateral direction.

FIG. 18 is an explanatory diagram of an example of the change numberconfirmation process.

FIG. 19 illustrates an example of a bar code image.

FIG. 20 explains an example of the number-of-changes checking process.

FIG. 21 is a flowchart of an example of job status update processingwhen passing through a gate.

FIG. 22 is a flow chart of an example of job status update processing atthe time of storage in a temporary storage location.

FIG. 23 is a transition diagram of an example of a UI screen displayedby the work process management system.

FIGS. 24A-24C explain examples of grouping processing on the UI screen.

FIGS. 25A-25C explain examples of search condition designationprocessing on the UI screen.

FIG. 26 illustrates an example of a map display screen of a temporarystorage location.

FIG. 27 explains an example in which progress information of one or morework processes is represented by a marker.

FIG. 28 explains an example of switching between a job status listscreen and a dashboard display screen.

FIG. 29 illustrates an image of an example of the dashboard displayscreen.

FIG. 30 explains an example of a marker.

FIG. 31 illustrates an image of an example of a traffic line displayscreen.

FIG. 32 is a functional block diagram of another example of the workprocess management system.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENT

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below withreference to the drawings. In the embodiments, a job management systemwill be described as an example in which management of a work process ofa job in a printing factory is realized by a function (function of awork instruction) using a work instruction (slip). The work instructionincludes a so-called “job ticket” in the field of printing technology.

5

First Embodiment <Systems Configuration>

FIG. 1 illustrates an example of the configuration of the job managementsystem according to the present embodiment. FIG. 2 illustrates anexample of a work instruction used in the job management systemaccording to the present embodiment. In the job management system 1 ofFIG. 1, a customer system 10, a work process management system 14, aprinter 16, and one or more cameras 18 are connected via a network 20such as the Internet or a LAN so as to be able to perform datacommunications.

The customer system 10 is an example of an existing system used by acustomer, and creates a work instruction 800 for the customer system 10illustrated in FIG. 2A in which a job ID is displayed. The job ID is anexample of identification information for identifying a job. In the workinstruction 800 for the customer system 10, at least one bar code image801 used by the customer system 10 is displayed.

The job ID may be displayed in the work instruction 800 for the customersystem 10 with the bar code image 801, or may be displayed in text. Thecustomer system 10 provides users with existing functions implemented bywork instructions 800 for the customer system 10.

The work process management system 14, the printer 16, and the one ormore cameras 18 constitute the information processing system 12 thatadds a new function to the work instruction 800. The work processmanagement system 14 manages the progress of a job composed of aplurality of work processes as described later using a work instruction810 for the information processing system 12 to which the color codeimage 811 of FIG. 2B is added. The information processing system 12 canspecify the job ID from the color code image 811 as described later.

The printer 16 prints the work instruction 810 for the informationprocessing system 12. The camera 18 is installed in the printing factoryso as to be able to photograph a place corresponding to the job processin the printing factory. The location corresponding to the work processof the job is, for example, a location where the printed matter passesby the movement between the work processes, a temporary storage locationwhere the printed matter is temporarily stored, or the like.

The camera 18 can be a PTZ camera or an IP camera. The PTZ camera is acamera capable of operation a PTZ (Pan Tilt Zoom) function via thenetwork 20, and capable of transmitting a photographed image or aphotographed moving image via the network 20. The IP camera is a camerathat can be operated via the network 20, and can transmit a photographedimage or a photographed moving image via the network 20. Thephotographed image and the photographed moving image photographed by thecamera 18 are transmitted to the work process management system 14 viathe network 20.

In the information processing system 12 that adds a new function to thework instruction 800, the work instruction 810 for the informationprocessing system 12 is attached to a printed matter that is an exampleof an intermediate product or a material of a job corresponding to thework instruction 810. The work instruction 810 is attached to a printedmatter that is easily photographed by the camera 18, for example.

The work process management system 14 manages the progress (job state)of the work process of the job based on the work process of the jobcorresponding to the camera 18 that photographed the work instruction810 and the job ID specified from the color code image 811 of the workinstruction 810. Further, the work process management system 14 managesa history of the work process of the job and a photographed image or aphotographed moving image representing the state of photographing thework instruction 810.

The configuration of the job management system 1 illustrated in FIG. 1is an example. For example, the job management system 1 may includeanother system, or the work process management system 14 may have adifferent name. The work process management system 14 may be realized inone server environment or a plurality of server environments.

<Hardware Configuration>

The customer system 10 and the work process management system 14 arerealized by, for example, a computer 500 having a hardware configurationillustrated in FIG. 3.

FIG. 3 is a hardware configuration diagram of an example of a computer.The computer 500 of FIG. 3 includes an input device 501, a displaydevice 502, an external I/F 503, a RAM 504, a ROM 505, a CPU 506, acommunication I/F 507, a HDD 508, and the like, which are connected toeach other via a bus B. The input device 501 and the display device 502may be connected and used when necessary.

The input device 501 includes a keyboard, a mouse, a touch panel, andthe like, and is used by a user to input operation signals. The displaydevice 502 includes a display or the like, and displays a result ofprocessing by the computer 500.

The communication I/F 507 is an interface for connecting the computer500 to various networks. As a result, the computer 500 can perform datacommunications via the communication I/F 507.

The HDD 508 is an example of a nonvolatile memory device that storesprograms and data. The stored programs and data include an OS which isbasic software for controlling the entire computer 500, applicationsoftware for providing various functions on the OS, and the like. Thecomputer 500 may use a drive device (for example, a solid state drive(SSD)) using a flash memory as a memory medium instead of a HDD 508.

The external I/F 503 is an interface with an external device. Theexternal apparatus includes a recording medium 503 a and the like. As aresult, the computer 500 can read and/or write the recording medium 503a via the external I/F 503. The recording medium 503 a includes aflexible disk, a CD, a DVD, an SD memory card, a USB memory, and thelike.

The ROM 505 is an example of a nonvolatile semiconductor memory (storagedevice) that can hold programs and data even when the power is turnedoff. The ROM 505 stores programs and data such as BIOS, operating systemsettings, and network settings that are executed when the computer 500is activated. The RAM 504 is an exemplary volatile semiconductor memory(storage device) that temporarily stores programs and data.

The CPU 506 is an arithmetic unit which realizes control and functionsof the entire computer 500 by reading programs and data from a storagedevice such as a ROM 505 and a HDD 508 on a RAM 504 and executingprocesses. The customer system 10 and the work process management system14 can realize various types of processing described later by thehardware configuration of the computer 500 as illustrated in FIG. 3, forexample. The hardware configurations of the printer 16 and the camera 18will not be described.

<Software Configuration>

FIG. 4 is a functional configuration diagram of an example of the workprocess management system. Incidentally, the functional configuration ofFIG. 4 is omitted as appropriate for the configuration unnecessary forthe description of the present embodiment. The work process managementsystem 14 of FIG. 4 includes a UI unit 30, a job ID detection unit 32, ajob management unit 34, a color code image generation unit 36, acolor-coded work instruction creation unit 38, a print instruction unit40, a photographed image acquisition unit 42, a color code recognitionunit 44, a color code management table memory unit 46, and a jobmanagement table memory unit 48.

The CPU 506 illustrated in FIG. 3 implements a program stored in, forexample, the ROM 505 to function as the UI unit 30. The UI unit 30controls the display of various screens, such as a screen that receivesvarious necessary settings from a user, a job status list screen, a jobdetail history screen, a dashboard display screen, and a motion linedisplay screen, which will be described later. The CPU 506 illustratedin FIG. 3 implements a program stored in, for example, the ROM 505 tofunction as the job ID detecting unit 32. The job ID detecting unit 32detects a job ID displayed in a bar code image 801 or text in a workinstruction 800 for the customer system 10 illustrated in FIG. 2A, forexample. For example, information, such as the bar code image 801 ortext in the work instruction 800, captured by the camera 18 is receivedby the job ID detecting unit 32, and the job ID detecting unit 32detects the job ID from the received information.

The CPU 506 illustrated in FIG. 3 implements a program stored in, forexample, the ROM 505 to function as the job management unit 34. The ROM505 or HDD 508 illustrated in FIG. 3 functions as the color codemanagement table memory unit 46. The job management unit 34 memories andmanages the available color code ID in the color code management tablememory unit 46. The job management unit 34 limits the number ofavailable color code IDs and narrows the range of values necessary forexpressing the color code IDs, thereby maximizing the size of the colorcode image 811 and facilitating color code recognition to be describedlater.

If the color code ID that is not used remains in the color codemanagement table memory unit 46, the job management unit 34 selects thecolor code ID of the old last update from the color code managementtable memory unit 46 and reuses the selected color code ID. The jobmanagement unit 34 manages the job ID detected by the job ID detectionunit 32 and the selected color code ID in association with each other inthe color code management table memory unit 46.

Further, the job management unit 34 memories and manages job informationcorresponding to the job ID and the color code ID in the job managementtable memory unit 48. The job management table memory unit 48 managesprogress information and history information of a work process of a job,a photographed image file and a photographed moving image filerepresenting a state of photographing the work instruction 810, and isused to display a job status list screen and the like, which will bedescribed later.

The CPU 506 illustrated in FIG. 3 implements a program stored in, forexample, the ROM 505 to function as the color code image generation unit36. The color code image generation unit 36 generates a color code image811, which will be described later, from the color code ID provided fromthe job management unit 34. The CPU 506 illustrated in FIG. 3 implementsa program stored in, for example, the ROM 505 to function as thecolor-coded work instruction creation unit 38. The color-coded workinstruction creation unit 38 creates data of a work instruction 810 forthe information processing system 12 to which the color code image 811of FIG. 2B is added from the work instruction 800 for the customersystem 10 of FIG. 2A. The data created by the color-coded workinstruction creation unit 38 is to be printed by, for example, theprinter 16. The print instruction unit 40 instructs the printer 16 toprint the work instruction 810 for the information processing system 12to which the color code image 811 of FIG. 2B is added.

The CPU 506 illustrated in FIG. 3 implements a program stored in, forexample, the ROM 505 to function as the photographed image acquisitionunit 42. The photographed image acquisition unit 42 acquires aphotographed image and a photographed moving image from the camera 18.The CPU 506 illustrated in FIG. 3 implements a program stored in, forexample, the ROM 505 to function as the color code recognition unit 44.The color code recognition unit 44 decodes the color code ID from thecolor code image 811 that has been photographed in the photographedimage or the photographed moving image. The color code recognition unit44 provides the job management unit 34 with, for example, identificationinformation for identifying the working process of the camera 18 or thejob that photographed the color code image 811, and the decoded colorcode ID. The job management unit 34 identifies the job ID correspondingto the decoded color code ID with reference to the job management tablememory unit 48.

The ROM 505 or HDD 508 illustrated in FIG. 3 functions as the color codemanagement table memory unit 46. As a result, the job management unit 34can update the progress information (job status) of the job work processmanaged by the job management table memory unit 48 based on the job workprocess corresponding to the camera 18 that photographed the color codeimage 811 and the job ID corresponding to the decoded color code ID.

<Processing>

FIG. 5 is an image diagram showing an example of a job working processin a printing factory. The process of FIG. 5 includes “printing”,“cutting”, “folding”, “binding”, “inspection”, “temporary storage 1”,and “temporary storage 2”. The camera 18 a is installed at a gate infront of a place where the work processes “printing”, “cutting”,“folding”, “binding” and “inspection” are performed. The camera 18 b isinstalled in a place where the work process “temporary storage 1” and“temporary storage 2” are performed.

The work instruction 810 for the information processing system 12 isphotographed by the camera 18 a or the camera 18 b while moving betweenwork processes or being stored in a temporary storage location. Notethat, as illustrated in FIG. 5, in the printing factory, the movementbetween the work processes is not certain, and the work instruction 810for the information processing system 12 is not photographed by the job,and the work process in which detection and recording are not performedmay be included. In FIG. 5, arrows representing the movement of jobs forperforming all the work processes and arrows representing the movementof jobs for skipping a part of the work processes are illustrated.

In FIG. 5, after a printed matter is output by the work process“printing”, a work instruction 810 is attached to the printed matter. Asa result, in the example of FIG. 5, the work instruction 810 attached tothe printed matter is photographed by the camera 18 a or the camera 18 bwhile the printed matter passes through the gate or is stored in thetemporary storage location.

<Creation of Color Coded Work Instructions>>

FIG. 6 is a flowchart of an example of processing for creating a workinstruction with a color code. In step S11, the job ID detection unit 32of the work process management system 14 detects the job ID displayed inthe work instruction 800 for the customer system 10 by the bar codeimage 801 or the text. The detection frame for detecting the job ID fromthe work instruction 800 may be set in advance by the operator, or maybe automatically set by using OCR or the like.

In step S12, the job management unit 34 selects the color code ID to beused from the color code management table memory unit 46, and managesthe selected color code ID in association with the job ID detected bythe job ID detection unit 32.

In step S13, the color code image generation unit 36 generates a colorcode image 811 from the color code ID associated with the job ID in theprocedure illustrated in FIG. 7. The procedure illustrated in FIG. 7uses, for example, the technique described in Japanese Laid-Open PatentApplication No. 2017-199306.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart of an example of processing for generating a colorcode image. In step S21, the color code image generation unit 36receives an input of a color code ID to be color coded. In step S22, thecolor code image generation unit 36 decomposes the character string ofthe color code ID into the values of the digits. In step S23, the colorcode image generation unit 36 converts the value of each separated digitinto a value corresponding to the number of colors to be assigned toeach cell of the optical symbol described in Japanese Laid-Open PatentApplication No. 2017-199306. For example, if the number of colorsassigned to each cell is four, the color code image generation unit 36converts the value of each digit into a value of a ternary numberaccording to a coding rule as illustrated in FIG. 8, for example.

FIG. 8 explains a coding rule capable of expressing a ternary number.FIG. 8 shows an example of the coding rule when four colors of red color(hereinafter, referred to as “R”), green color (hereinafter, referred toas “G”), blue color (hereinafter, referred to as “B”), and black color(hereinafter, referred to as “K”) are used. In the case of using fourcolors, it is possible to express them in three values, that is, in aternary number.

For example, as illustrated in FIG. 8A, each transition from R to K,from K to B, from B to G, and from G to R represents a value “0”. Inaddition, each transition from R to G, G to B, B to K, and K to R in thecounterclockwise direction represents a value “1”. Furthermore,bi-directional transitions along the diagonals, i.e. between R and B,and between K and G, respectively, represent the value “2”.

For example, referring to FIG. 8B, a case where color transition of eachcell is observed from left to right in a cell column connected in orderof G, R, B, K, and G is considered. In this case, the transition from Gto R represents the value “0”, the transition from R to B represents thevalue “2”, the transition from B to K represents the value “1”, and thetransition from K to G represents the value “2”. Thus, the array of FIG.8B represents a value “3d2120”, i.e. a decimal value “69”. The first “3d” in the notation of the values indicates that the next number is athree decimal value.

The coding rule using the four color transition is not limited to theexample illustrated in FIG. 8A, and may be, for example, the exampleillustrated in FIG. 8D. FIG. 8E shows an example of a conversion tableassociating color transitions and values according to the coding ruleillustrated in FIG. 8D. In FIG. 8E, for example, when it is desired toexpress the value “2” in R as the color of the cell of a transitionsource, the color of the cell of a transition destination adjacent tothe cell of the transition source is set to B. Similarly, when the colorof the cell of the transition source is K and the value “1” is to beexpressed, the color of the cell of the transition destination is G.

In step S24 following step S23 of FIG. 7, the color code imagegeneration unit 36 assigns colors to the respective cells of the opticalsymbol in accordance with the color of the cell of the transitionsource, the value of the ternary number converted in step S23, and theconversion table of the coding rule as illustrated in FIG. 8A. The colorcode image generation unit 36 stores in advance the color arrangement ofeach cell in the cell string of the main code of the optical symbol.

A more specific example in the case where the number of colors assignedto each cell of the optical symbol is four will be described withreference to FIGS. 9 and 10. FIG. 9 is a diagram showing an example ofinformation to be coded into the optical symbol. FIG. 10 is a diagramshowing an example of the optical symbol in the case where the number ofcolors assigned to each cell of the optical symbol is four.

FIG. 9 is an example of the values “3d1, ” “3d1, ” “3d0,” and “3d1” ineach cell column of the sub-code unit 301 connected to “d1,” “d2,” “d3,”and “d4” of the main code unit 300.

FIG. 10 shows an example of an optical symbol in which the informationillustrated in FIG. 9 is coded according to the coding rule describedwith reference to FIGS. 8A to 8E. In this example, the cell row of themain code unit 300 includes an even number of cells, and is configuredby alternately arranging K and R with the leading end cell as K.

In addition, for example, in the cell at the left end, the color of thecell is assigned to the sub-code unit 301 by using K of the cell of themain code unit 300 to which the cell is connected as the color of thefirst transition source. Referring to FIG. 10, R is assigned to the cellof the leftmost sub-code unit 301 of the optical symbols by referring tothe translation table of the coding rules of FIG. 8A in accordance withK of the cell of the main code unit 300 which is the cell of the sourceof the transition and the value “3d1” of the cell of the sub-code unit301.

In step S14 following step S13 in FIG. 6, the color-coded workinstruction creation unit 38 creates a work instruction 810 for theinformation processing system 12 using the color code image 811generated in step S13.

FIG. 11 is a diagram showing an image of processing for creating a workinstruction with color code. The paper size and the layout frame may beset in advance by the operator. The work instruction 800 for thecustomer system 10 of FIG. 2A is scaled down to create a free space. Thework instruction 810 for the information processing system 12illustrated in FIG. 2B is obtained by attaching a color code image 811to an empty space generated by scaling down the work instruction 800 forthe customer system 10.

In the work instruction 800 for the customer system 10 illustrated inFIG. 2A, at least one bar code image 801 used on the customer system 10side is displayed. Therefore, simply reducing the work instruction 800for the customer system 10 may cause the bar code image 801 to fail.

Therefore, in order to generate an empty space without impairing thefunction of the bar code image 801, the color-coded work instructioncreation unit 38 confirms the direction of the bar code image 801 in theprocedure illustrated in FIG. 12, and performs scaling and reduction inthe direction in which the function of the bar code image 801 is notimpaired.

FIG. 12 is a flowchart of an example of processing for reducing an imageincluding a bar code image. In step S31, the color-coded workinstruction creation unit 38 cuts out the position of the bar code image801 of the work instruction 800 for the customer system 10 illustratedin FIG. 2A. In step S32, the color-coded work instruction creation unit38 determines whether the extracted bar code image as illustrated inFIG. 13 is a Bk (monochrome) image or an RGB (RGB) image. FIG. 13illustrates an example of a bar code image.

If the image is not a Bk (monochrome) image, the color-coded workinstruction creation unit 38 proceeds to step S33, converts the RGBimage into a Lab image or a Luv image, creates a monochrome image inwhich only the L component is extracted after the conversion, andproceeds to step S34. If the image is a monochrome image, thecolor-coded work instruction creation unit 38 skips step S33 andproceeds to step S34.

In step S34, the color-coded work instruction creation unit 38 rasterscans all the pixels in the bar code image of FIG. 13. Here, it isassumed that the pixel position (x, y) is a position according to the Xdirection and the Y direction displayed in FIG. 13. The color-coded workinstruction creation unit 38 integrates the values of the pixels havingthe same pixel position x, that is, the values of the pixels in the Ydirection.

In step S35, the color-coded work instruction creation unit 38integrates all the pixels. The color-coded work instruction creationunit 38 obtains an average value by dividing the value obtained byintegrating all the pixels by the number of all the pixels.

In step S36, as illustrated in FIG. 18, the color-coded work instructioncreation unit 38 confirms the number of changes by comparing theintegrated value of the pixels having the same pixel position x obtainedin step S34 with the average value obtained in step S35. FIG. 18 is anexplanatory diagram of an example of the number-of-changes checkingprocess.

For example, the work instruction creation unit 38 with color codeconfirms the number of times of change obtained by totaling the numberof times of change from the integrated value high than the average valueto the integrated value lower than the average value and the number oftimes of change from the integrated value lower than the average valueto the integrated value higher than the average value.

In step S37, the color-coded work instruction creation unit 38determines whether or not the number of changes confirmed in step S36 is24 or more. If the number of changes is 24 or more, the process advancesto step S38, and the color-coded work instruction creation unit 38performs scaling in a direction in which the bar code image of FIG. 14is reduced in the vertical direction as in the bar code image of FIG.15, for example. FIG. 14 illustrates an example of a bar code imagebefore reduction in the vertical direction. FIG. 15 illustrates anexample of a bar code image after being reduced in the verticaldirection.

For example, when the bar code image illustrated in FIG. 13 is reducedin the X direction, black lines approach each other, and it becomesdifficult to discriminate a change in black and white. On the otherhand, since the interval between black lines does not change even if thebar code image illustrated in FIG. 13 is reduced in the Y direction, thediscrimination of black and white is not affected.

Meanwhile, if the number of changes is not more than 24 times, the stepS39 proceeds, and the work instruction creation unit 38 with a colorcode reduces the bar code image shown in FIG. 16 in a direction that isreduced in a lateral direction, such as the bar code image shown in FIG.17.

The process of the flowchart of FIG. 12 determines the direction of thebar code image based on the following idea. For example, in the case ofa vertical bar code as illustrated in FIG. 13, since there is the widthof a black line, a change from a white line to a black line and a changefrom the black line to the white line occur in a set. The number ofchanges varies according to the number of displayed digits of the barcode, but when a typical bar code is examined, if the number of changesis 24 or more, it can be determined that the bar code is a vertical barcode as illustrated in FIG. 13.

Similarly, in the case of a bar code in the horizontal direction asillustrated in FIG. 19, in step S36, the color-coded work instructioncreation unit 38 confirms the number of changes as illustrated in FIG.20. FIG. 19 illustrates an example of a bar code image. FIG. 20 explainsan example of a process of checking the number of changes.

Referring to FIG. 20, because the number of times of change obtained bytotaling the number of times of change from the integrated value higherthan the average value to the integrated value lower than the averagevalue and the number of times of change from the integrated value lowerthan the average value to the integrated value higher than the averagevalue is extremely small, even if information other than the bar codeimage is integrated, the number of times of change does not become 24 ormore, for example. Therefore, if the number of changes is 24 or more, itcan be determined that there presents a bar code in the lateraldirection as illustrated in FIG. 19.

Instead of the method of determining the direction of the bar code imagedescribed above, the direction of the bar code image can be determinedby Fourier transform, Hough transform which is one of feature extractionmethods, or the like. However, recent printers perform halftoneprocessing. Especially in an electrophotographic printer, an all-wiredither may be used.

When the Hough transform is used, a line segment component in an imagecan be extracted. Although the line segment component of the bar code isdominant, it is difficult to eliminate the influence of halftoneprocessing, especially the omni-line dither. In order to reduce theinfluence of the all-wire dither, the position of the bar code image 801must be strictly specified in step S31. Similarly, in the case of usingFourier transform, it becomes a problem whether the influence of thehalftone processing around the bar code can be strictly eliminated.

On the other hand, in the method of determining the direction of the barcode image of the present embodiment, even if the omni-directionaldither image or some character or image is included in the periphery ofthe bar code image cut out in step S31, the number of changes is notcaused to be counted so as to cause no problem.

As described above, in the work process management system 14 of thepresent embodiment, it is possible to create an empty space by scalingin a direction that does not impair the function of the bar code image801, and to add the color code image 811 that can be read remotely tothe empty space. Even if the work instruction 800 for the customersystem 10 is scaled down, the function of the bar code image 801 is notimpaired, and the function of the color code image 811 can be added tothe work instruction 810 for the information processing system 12 whilethe function of the work instruction 800 for the customer system 10remains.

In step S15 following step S14 in FIG. 6, the print instruction unit 40instructs the printer 16 to print the work instruction 810 for theinformation processing system 12 to which the color code image 811created in step S14 is added. The printer 16 prints a work instruction810 for the information processing system 12 to which a color code image811 as illustrated in FIG. 2B, for example, is added in accordance withan instruction from the print instruction unit 40.

<<Updating Job Status When Passing Gates>>

In the job management system 1 according to the present embodiment, thejob status of the job management table memory unit 48 is updated asfollows by photographing the work instruction 810 for the informationprocessing system 12 to which the color code image 811 is added by thecamera 18 a.

FIG. 21 is a flowchart of an example of job status update processingwhen a gate is passed. When the photographed image acquisition unit 42of the work process management system 14 acquires a photographed imageor a photographed moving image from the camera 18 a, the processproceeds to step S52.

In step S52, the color code recognition unit 44 tries to cut out thecolor code image 811 from the photographed image or the photographedmoving image acquired by the photographed image acquisition unit 42. Instep S 53, the color code recognition unit 44 performs recognitionprocessing of the color code image 811 in the procedure described in,for example, Japanese Patent Laid-Open Patent Application No.2017-199306.

When the color code image 811 is recognized, the color code recognitionunit 44 detects an image of each cell from the color code image 811. Instep S54, the color code recognition unit 44 recognizes the colorinformation of each cell detected in step S53 and the connectioninformation of each cell as symbol information. The color coderecognition unit 44 proceeds to step S54, and decodes the symbolinformation according to the coding rule illustrated in FIG. 8A, forexample, to restore the color code ID coded in the color code image 811.

In step S55, the color code recognition unit 44 provides, for example,identification information of the camera 18 a that photographed thecolor code image 811 and the color code ID restored by decoding to thejob management unit 34. The job management unit 34 refers to the jobmanagement table memory unit 48 and identifies the job ID correspondingto the color code ID.

Then, the job management unit 34 can update the job status managed inthe job management table memory unit 48 from “undetected” to “currentprocess” or “passed” based on, for example, the identificationinformation of the camera 18 a that photographed the color code image811 and the job ID corresponding to the color code ID restored from thecolor code image 811.

<<Updating Job Status during Storage in Temporary Storage Location>>

In the job management system 1 according to the present embodiment, thejob status of the job management table memory unit 48 is updated asfollows by photographing the work instruction 810 for the informationprocessing system 12 to which the color code image 811 is added by thecamera 18 b.

FIG. 22 is a flowchart of an example of job status update processing atthe time of storage in a temporary storage location. When thephotographed image acquisition unit 42 of the work process managementsystem 14 acquires the photographed image from the camera 18 b, theprocess proceeds to step S 62.

In step S62, the color code recognition unit 44 tries to cut out thecolor code image 811 from the photographed image or the photographedmoving image acquired by the photographed image acquisition unit 42. Instep S63, the color code recognition unit 44 performs recognitionprocessing of the color code image 811 in the procedure described in,for example, Japanese Laid-Open Patent Application No. 2017-199306.

If the color code image 811 is recognized in step S63, the color coderecognition unit 44 proceeds from step S64 to step S65, and decodes thesymbol information recognized from the color code image 811 to restorethe color code ID encoded in the color code image 811.

In step S66, the color code recognition unit 44 provides, for example,identification information of the camera 18 b that photographed thecolor code image 811 and the color code ID restored by decoding to thejob management unit 34. The job management unit 34 refers to the jobmanagement table memory unit 48 and identifies the job ID correspondingto the color code ID.

Then, the job management unit 34 determines whether a predetermined timehas elapsed without a change in the job status of the job ID based on,for example, the identification information of the camera 18 b thatphotographed the color code image 811 and the job ID corresponding tothe color code ID restored from the color code image 811.

If the job status is not changed and the predetermined time has notelapsed, the job management unit 34 proceeds to step S70. In step S70,the job management unit 34 can update the job status managed by the jobmanagement table memory unit 48 from “undetected” to “current process”.

If the job status is unchanged and the predetermined time has elapsed,the job management unit 34 performs the processing to display theresidence alert on the job detail history screen described later, andthen proceeds to the processing of step S70. In step S70, the jobmanagement unit 34 can update the job status managed by the jobmanagement table memory unit 48 from the “current process” to the“alert” or the like.

If the predetermined period of time has elapsed without any change inthe job status, the job management unit 34 performs a process fordisplaying a stay alert on a job detail history screen, which will bedescribed later, and then proceeds to the process of step S70. If thepredetermined time has not elapsed without any change in the job status,the job management unit 34 proceeds to step S70. In step S70, the jobmanagement unit 34 can update the job status managed by the jobmanagement table memory unit 48 from “undetected” to “current process”.

If the color code image 811 is not recognized in step S63, the colorcode recognition unit 44 proceeds from step S64 to step S68, and if thecolor code image 811 cannot be recognized from the photographed imagefrom the camera 18 b installed in the temporary storage location,processing is performed to update the job ID that the job status is tobe stored in the temporary storage location.

The color code recognition unit 44 provides, for example, identificationinformation of the camera 18 b to the job management unit 34. The jobmanagement unit 34 determines whether or not there is a job ID for whichthe color code image 811 has not been recognized from the photographedimage continuously for a predetermined number of times, among job IDsfor which the job status of the temporary storage location correspondingto the provided identification information of the camera 18 b is“current process”.

If there is a job ID for which the color code image 811 has not beenrecognized from the photographed image consecutively for a predeterminednumber of times among the job IDs whose job statuses of the temporarystorage locations are “current process”, the job management unit 34proceeds to step S69, sets the color code ID associated with the job IDto Null, and proceeds to step S70. In step S70, the job management unit34 can update the job status managed by the job management table memoryunit 48 from the “current process” to the “passed” or the like.

Further, there is a possibility that the work instruction 810 for theinformation processing system 12 is stored in a state in which it isimpossible to take a picture from the camera 18 b, for example, theprinted matter is superimposed on the temporary storage location. Inconsideration of this point, the job management unit 34 skips step S69and proceeds to step S70 if there is no job ID whose color code image811 has not been recognized from the photographed image consecutivelyfor a predetermined number of times among the job IDs whose job statusof the temporary storage location is “current process”. In step S70, thejob management unit 34 can update the job status managed by the jobmanagement table memory unit 48 from the “current process” to the“stack”.

According to the processing of the flowcharts of FIGS. 21 and 22, byautomatically updating the job status of the printed matter to which thework instruction 810 for the information processing system 12 isattached, it is possible to track the printed matter to which the workinstruction 810 for the information processing system 12 is attached.

<<Inquiry of Job>>

The operator of the job management system 1 can inquire the progressinformation and the history information of the work process of the jobin the printing factory, the photographed image file representing thestate when the work instruction 810 is photographed, the photographedmoving image file, and the like through various UI screens provided bythe work process management system 14.

FIG. 23 is a transition diagram of an example of a UI screen displayedby the work process management system. The UI unit 30 of the workprocess management system 14 displays, for example, a job status listscreen 1000 on the display device 502. The job status list screen 1000displays a list of job information including a job ID, a color code ID,a job name, last update data, and progress information of one or morework processes.

The progress information of one or more work processes indicates whetherthe work process progress is “undetected”, “passed”, “current process”,“alert” or “stacked”. The progress “undetected” of the work processindicates that the work instruction 810 for the information processingsystem 12 is not photographed by the camera 18 corresponding to the workprocess. The progress “passed” of the work process indicates that thework instruction 810 for the information processing system 12 has beenphotographed by the camera 18 corresponding to the work process beforethe last update. The progress “current process” of the work processindicates that the work instruction 810 for the information processingsystem 12 has been photographed by the camera 18 corresponding to thework process in the final update. The progress “alert” of the workprocess indicates that an alert such as, for example, a stay alert hasoccurred. The progress “stacking” of the work process indicates that thecamera 18 corresponding to the work process has taken the workinstruction 810 for the information processing system 12 before the lastupdate and that the camera 18 corresponding to the work process andother work processes has not taken the work instruction 810 for theinformation processing system 12 with the last update. The “stacking” ofthe progress of the work process indicates a condition in which it isanticipated that the printed matter to which the work instruction 810 isaffixed could not be photographed with the camera 18 due to stacking orthe like.

The key mark 1002 of the job status list screen 1000 indicates that thecolor code ID associated with, for example, a long-term storage job islocked so as not to be automatically released. In this manner, theprocess management system 14 provides the operator with a lockingfunction in which the color code ID is not reused.

The operator can display the job detail history screen 1010 by selectingone job from the job status list screen 1000. The job detail historyscreen 1010 displays buttons for shifting to a screen for displaying astart date and time, a completion date and time, and a photographedimage or a photographed moving image for each work process. When thework process is “temporary storage 1” or “temporary storage 2”, anaddress representing a storage area in the temporary storage location isalso displayed on the job detail history screen 1010. Further, the jobdetail history screen 1010 displays a “traffic line display” button fortransitioning to the traffic line display screen 1050, which will bedescribed later.

When a button for shifting to the screen 1020 for displaying thephotographed image or the photographed moving image of the job detailhistory screen 1010 is pressed, the UI unit 30 shifts to the screen 1020for displaying the photographed image or the photographed moving image.On the screen 1020 for displaying a photographed image or a photographedmoving image, when the playback button is pressed, the photographedimage file or the photographed moving image file representing the stateof photographing the work instruction 810 is displayed.

When the button for transitioning to the map display screen 1030 for thejob corresponding to the work process “temporary storage 1” or“temporary storage 2” is pressed, the UI unit 30 transitions to the mapdisplay screen 1030 illustrated in FIG. 26. FIG. 26 illustrates anexample of the map display screen of the temporary storage location. TheUI unit 30 displays, for example, a photographed image of a temporarystorage location on the background, and displays the image so that thestorage area in which the printed matter is stored can be identified bythe mark “•” or the like.

The job status list screen 1000 of FIG. 23 may be displayed byperforming grouping as illustrated in FIG. 24, or may be configured toaccept designation of a search condition as illustrated in FIG. 25.

FIGS. 24A to 24C are explanatory diagrams illustrating an example of agrouping process in a UI screen. FIG. 24A illustrates an example of thejob status list screen 1000 before the grouping process. FIGS. 24B and24C are examples in which progress information of one or more workprocesses of the job status list screen 1000 after the grouping processis grouped for each of the “first floor area” and the “second floorarea” to facilitate visual grasp.

In FIG. 24C, the grouped “first floor area” is displayed in a foldedmanner. When the progress information of the grouped work process isdisplayed in a convoluted manner, the progress information and (logicalconjunction/AND) of the work process included in the group are displayedas the progress information of the group so that the progressinformation of the work process included in the folded “1st floor area”group is understood. For example, the progress information and of thework process included in the group is determined as “alert >currentprocess >stacked >passed >undetected”.

FIGS. 25A to 25C explain examples of the search condition specifyingprocess on the UI screen. FIGS. 25A to 25C illustrate examples of a jobstatus list screen 1000 in which a search line is provided. The searchline is displayed, for example, by pressing the “search” button on thejob status list screen 1000.

The operator can search for a job that matches the search condition byspecifying the search condition in the search line. The search linesprovided as in FIGS. 25A-25C have the effect of improving immediacy andvisibility due to the small screen transitions.

FIG. 25A illustrates an example in which a search condition is enteredin the search line with a text item (partial matching). FIG. 253illustrates an example of inputting a search condition in a time anddate and time item (specified range) on the search line. FIG. 25Cillustrates an example in which the search condition is selected bypull-down in the search line in the work process item (matching).

Selection by pull-down may be made, for example, to allow multipleselection by the control key. When the “condition clear” button ispressed, all search conditions are cleared and all items are displayed.In addition, the progress information of one or more work processes ofthe job status list screen 1000 may be represented by a marker, forexample, as shown in FIG. 27. In FIG. 27, the color of the marker isrepresented by a kanji character. The time has elapsed in the order of(a) to (e) in FIG. 27. For example, in FIG. 27, the second work processin (c), which was the progress “current process,” is the progress“accumulated” in (d). The progress information of the one or more workprocesses shown in (d) of FIG. 27 is again photographed by the camera 18in a work instruction 810 for the information processing system 12,resulting in any of the conditions shown on the right side of FIG. 27.

The operator can also display the dashboard display screen 1040 bypressing the “dashboard” button on the job status list screen 1000. FIG.28 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of a switchingbetween a job status list screen and a dashboard display screen. Whenthe “dashboard” button is pressed while the search condition isspecified in the job status list screen 1000, the dashboard displayscreen 1040 takes over the search condition specification and displaysit. The operator can also display the job status list screen 1000 bypressing the “return to list” button on the dashboard display screen1040. The job status list screen 1000 may take over the original searchcondition specification before the transition to the dashboard displayscreen 1040. FIG. 29 is an image diagram illustrating an example of adashboard display screen.

The dashboard display screen 1040 displays information about theprogress of multiple jobs by a marker (an example of a display object)representing the location on the map of the job and the number of jobsper location. For example, FIG. 29 shows the number of jobs and alertsin the process category for each of “process category A”, “processcategory B”, and “process category C”. The dashboard display screen 1040of FIG. 29 may enclose the process category in a frame and embed thefactory map as a background image. The position where the marker isdisplayed indicates one or more work processes. The size of the markerindicates the number of jobs in the process. This feature distinguishesbetween the colors of normal markers (e.g., green) that do not containthe job where the alert occurred and the colors of alert markers (e.g.,red) that contain the job where the alert occurred.

FIG. 30 is an illustrative view of an example of a marker. The marker inFIG. 30 is an example represented by a bubble (circle mark) and isrepresented by a circle of five level sizes corresponding to the numberof jobs for a specified work process. The parameters of the marker inFIG. 30 include a range of job numbers, a central coordinate, a radius(size) and a color (normal marker/alert marker). Normal marker colorsmay vary from one level to another. The dashboard display screen 1040provides a visually understandable display of the number of jobs in eachwork process and the work process that includes the job where the alertis occurring. In addition, the operator can display the traffic linedisplay screen 1050 by pressing a “traffic line” button on the jobdetail history screen 1010.

FIG. 31 is an image diagram illustrating an example of a traffic linedisplay screen. The traffic line display screen 1050 displays thetraffic line by connecting the job history with a curve on the map basedon the information about the job history displayed on the job detailhistory screen 1010. The curve is, for example, a Bezier curve.

The Bezier curve is an (N-1)th order curve obtained from control pointsas many as N. The line display screen 1050 of FIG. 31 illustrates thepoints of the work process in circles. Circles are displayed byspecifying the center coordinate, radius, color, and transparency. Thework process that the job has not passed is hidden. In addition, in themotion display screen 1050 of FIG. 31, the center coordinate of the workprocess through which the job has passed is connected by a Bezier curveso that the traffic line of the job can be visually represented. In thetraffic line display screen 1050 of FIG. 31, In the traffic line displayscreen 1050 of FIG. 31, a mouse may be brought over the circle so as todisplay information such as the process name/transit time (all if any)of the work process corresponding to the circle.

As described above, according to the work process management system 14of the present embodiment, the progress information of the work processof the job in the printing factory can be checked in the list. Inaddition, according to the work process management system 14 of thepresent embodiment, it is possible to confirm the history information ofthe work process of the job in the printing factory, the photographedimage file representing the state when the work instruction 810 isphotographed, the photographed moving image file, and the like by asimple operation.

Second Embodiment

In the first embodiment, the work process management system 14 createsthe work instruction 810 for the information processing system 12. Inthe second embodiment, the customer system 10 creates the workinstruction 810 for the information processing system 12. The secondembodiment is the same as the first embodiment except for a partthereof. Therefore, descriptions of the same parts as those of the firstembodiment are appropriately omitted.

<System Configuration>

FIG. 32 is a functional configuration diagram of another example of thework process management system. A work process management system 14 aillustrated in FIG. 32 is configured by excluding the color-coded workinstruction creation unit 38 and the print instruction unit 40 from thework process management system 14 illustrated in FIG. 4. On the otherhand, a customer system 10 a has a color-coded work instruction creationunit 60 and a print instruction unit 62 added thereto.

In the job management system 1 according to the second embodiment, thegeneration of the color code image 811 is performed by a work processmanagement system 14 a in the same manner as in the first embodiment,and steps S14 and S15 of FIG. 6 are performed by the color-coded workinstruction creation unit 60 and the print instruction unit 62 of thecustomer system 10.

Also in the job management system 1 according to the second embodiment,the same effect as that of the job management system 1 according to thefirst embodiment can be obtained.

Third Embodiment

The first and second embodiments described above are techniques realizedby the work instruction 810 for the information processing system 12 inwhich a new code (color code image 811) is added to the work instruction800 for the customer system 10. This technique can be applied to, forexample, a technique of a conveyance system represented by an AGV(unmanned conveyance vehicle).

For example, in a conveyance system that conveys goods, the workinstruction 810 for the information processing system 12 to which acolor code image 811 is added is attached, and the image of an articlebeing conveyed is photographed by the camera 18, so that the workprocess of the article being conveyed by the conveyance device can bemanaged. In addition, since the position of the conveyance device thatconveys the good and the conveyance destination of the article can bespecified, the conveyance system can also control the movement of theconveyance device that conveys the article.

Fourth Embodiment

Although the above-described first and second embodiments have beendescribed with respect to the management of the work process of the jobin the printing factory, the present embodiment can be applied to themanagement of the work process of the article flowing on the beltconveyor, for example. For example, if the technique of the presentembodiment is provided for the management of the working process of thegoods flowing on the belt conveyor, the tracking of the articles flowingon the belt conveyor becomes possible, and the branching of the beltconveyor can be controlled.

The present invention is not limited to the embodiments specificallydisclosed above, and various modifications and variations are possiblewithout departing from the scope of the claims. The job ID is an exampleof the first identification information described in the claims. Thecolor code image is an example of the second identification information.The job ID detection unit 32 is an example of a detection unit.

The color code image generation unit 36 is an example of a generatingunit. The color-coded work instruction creation unit 38 is an example ofa creation unit. The job management unit 34 is an example of amanagement unit. The camera 18 is an example of a photographing unit.The color code recognition unit 44 is an example of a recognition unit.

The present invention is not limited to the embodiments specificallydisclosed above, and various modifications and variations are possiblewithout departing from the scope of the claims. The work instruction 800for the customer system 10 is an example of a first slip image asclaimed. The work instruction 810 for the information processing system12 is an example of a second slip image. The bar code image 801 is anexample of a code image displayed on the first slip image. The colorcode image 811 is an example of a new code image.

The color-coded work instruction creation unit 38 for checking thedirection of the bar code image 801 illustrated in FIG. 12 is an exampleof a determination unit. The color-coded work instruction creation unit38 that performs scaling and reduction in a direction that does notimpair the function of the bar code image 801 illustrated in FIG. 12 isan example of a reduction unit. The color-coded work instructioncreation unit 38 that creates the work instruction 810 for theinformation processing system 12 by using the generated color code image811 is an example of a creating unit. The color code image generationunit 36 is an example of a generating unit.

The present invention is not limited to the embodiments specificallydisclosed above, and various modifications and variations are possiblewithout departing from the scope of the claims. The color code image 811is an example of a code image associated with the job described in theclaims. The work instruction 810 for the information processing systemis an example of a slip.

The camera 18 is an example of a photographing unit. The color coderecognition unit 44 is an example of a recognition unit. The jobmanagement unit 34 is an example of a management unit. The UI unit 30 isan example of providing unit. The photographed image file and thephotographed moving image file are examples of photographing data.

The job status list screen 1000 is an example of a list screen. The jobdetail history screen 1010 is an example of a detail screen.

[Effect of the Invention]

According to the embodiment of the present invention, a functionrealized by a slip can be easily added.

According to the embodiment of the present invention, the code imagedisplayed on the first slip image can be reduced in a readable state,and a second slip image on which a new code image is displayed can becreated.

According to the embodiment of the present invention, it is possible toprovide an information processing system in which a user can easilyconfirm information on the progress of a plurality of jobs composed of aplurality of work processes.

EXPLANATION OF REFERENCE SYMBOLS

-   1: Job management system-   10: Customer's system-   12: Information processing system-   14: Work process control system-   16: Printer-   18, 18 a, 18 b: cameras-   20: Network-   30: UI section-   32: Job ID detector-   34: Job Management Department-   36: Color code image generator-   38, 60: Color-coded Work Instruction Preparation Department-   40, 62 Print Instruction Department-   42: Captured image acquisition unit-   44: Color code recognition unit-   46: Color code management table memory unit-   48: Job management table storage-   800: WORK INSTRUCTIONS FOR CUSTOMER SYSTEMS-   801: Bar-code image-   810: Work instructions for information processing systems-   811: Color code image-   1000: Job status list screen-   1010: Job detail history screen-   1020: Screen for displaying photographed images or videos-   1030: Job map screen-   1040: Dashboard display screen-   1050: Traffic line display screen

All examples and conditional language recited herein are intended forpedagogical purposes to aid the reader in understanding the principlesof the invention and the concepts contributed by the inventor tofurthering the art, and are to be construed as being without limitationto such specifically recited examples and conditions, nor does theorganization of such examples in the specification relate to a showingof the superiority or inferiority of the invention.

Although claimed embodiments of the present invention has been describedin detail, it should be understood that various changes, substitutions,and alterations could be made thereto without departing from the spiritand scope of the invention.

What is claimed is:
 1. An information processing system comprising:configured to detect first identification information used to identify ajob; generate second identification information associated with thefirst identification information; and create a slip on which the firstidentification information and the second identification information aredisplayed.
 2. The information processing system according to claim 1,wherein the circuitry is further configured to generate a color codeimage of the second identification information, the color code imageexpressing a value using a transition of colors respectively of cells,which are adjacently connected.
 3. The information processing systemaccording to claim 1, the information processing system furthercomprising: at least one photograph unit configured to photograph theslip, and wherein the circuitry is further configured to recognize thesecond identification information from an image of the photographedslip.
 4. The information processing system according to claim 1, whereinthe circuitry is further configured to determine a direction of a codeimage of an image of a first slip, on which the code image correspondingto at least one of the first identification information is displayed;and scale down the image of the first slip in accordance with thedirection of the determined code image, wherein the circuitry creates asecond slip image, on which the code image is newly displayed on anempty area formed by scaling down the image of the first slip.
 5. Theinformation processing system according to claim 4, wherein thecircuitry scales down the first slip image in a direction that does notimpair a function of the code image displayed on the first slip image.6. The information processing system according to claim 5, wherein thecircuitry scales down the first slip image in a longitudinal directionwhen the direction of the determined code image is in the longitudinaldirection, and scales down the second slip image in a lateral directionwhen the direction of the determined code image is in the lateraldirection.
 7. The information processing system according to claim 3,wherein the circuitry is further configured to manage informationrelated to progress of the job and photographed data of the photographedslip, based on a work process corresponding to a place where the slip isphotographed by the at least one photograph unit and the job recognizedby the circuitry; and provide the information related to the progress ofthe job whose number is plural and the photographed data of the slipphotographed by the at least one photograph unit to a user.
 8. Theinformation processing system according to claim 7, wherein theprovision unit causes the display device to display a list screen forlisting the information related to the progress of the plurality of thejobs and also display a detailed screen for displaying informationrelated to a history of one of the plurality of jobs selected by theuser from the list screen.
 9. The information processing systemaccording to claim 8, wherein the provision unit causes the history ofone of the plurality of jobs selected by the user from the list screento be displayed using a traffic line on the map based on the informationrelated to the history of the one job selected by the user from the listscreen.
 10. The information processing system according to claim 9,wherein the provision unit causes the display device to display thephotographed data when the slip is photographed at a locationcorresponding to the work process based on the work process selected bythe user on the detailed screen.
 11. The information processing systemaccording to claim 9, wherein the provision unit displays theinformation related to the progress of the plurality of the jobs on thelist screen using a display object representing a location on the map ofthe plurality of the jobs and the number of the plurality of the jobsfor each of the location.
 12. The information processing systemaccording to claim 7, wherein the provision unit causes the displaydevice to display a position of an intermediate product or a material ofthe job at a temporary storage place so as to overlap a background asthe photographed data when the slip is photographed when the workprocess is stored in the temporary storage place of the intermediateproduct or material of the job.
 13. The information processing systemaccording to claim 12, wherein, if the information related to theplurality of the jobs is the work process of storing the intermediateproduct or material in the temporary storage place, the management unitcauses the provision unit to display an alert after a predetermined timehas elapsed without changing information about the progress of the job.14. The information processing system according to claim 12, wherein, ifthe information related to the plurality of the jobs is the work processof storing the intermediate product or material in the temporary storageplace, the management unit does not update the information related tothe progress of the plurality of the jobs until a state where the codeimage associated with the job cannot be recognized from the dataphotographed by the at least one photograph unit for photographing thetemporary storage place continuously occurs for a predetermined numberof times after the code image associated with the job cannot berecognized from the data photographed by the at least one photographunit for photographing the temporary storage place.
 15. A slip creationmethod comprising: determining a direction of at least one code image ona first slip image, the at least one code image being displayed on thefirst slip image; reducing by scaling down the first slip imageaccording to the direction of the determined code image; and creating asecond slip image having a new code image displayed in an empty areaformed by scaling down the first slip image.
 16. The slip creationmethod according to claim 15, wherein, in the reducing, when thedirection of the determined code image is in a longitudinal direction,the first slip image is scaled down in a longitudinal direction, andwhen the direction of the determined code image is in a lateraldirection, the second slip image is scaled down in the lateraldirection.